Exercise Apparatus with Computer Workstation

ABSTRACT

A multi-function apparatus integrating an exercise device with a computer workstation. The exercise device is preferably a treadmill, step machine, or stationary bicycle. The computer workstation is attached to the exercise device, and comprises adjustable computer monitor, keyboard/mouse and desk surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Obesity has become a major health crisis in America. Societal changes indiet, exercise, and common occupational activities have each contributedto this epidemic. Many Americans spend a major portion of their workdayat a desk in offices or at home, working with a computer, telephone andreading material. There is minimal opportunity for calorie-burningexercise during such work time.

Recent research in the field of obesity has indicated that a techniquecalled “Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis” (NEAT) may be effective inweight loss and weight control therapies. NEAT employs an exerciseprotocol in which the participant is active at very low exertion ratesfor relatively long periods of time. For example, a user may employ NEATby walking on a treadmill significantly slower than her natural walkingspeed, but continues walking for several hours. The user thus avoidsbecoming winded and only minimally perspires. In addition, the NEATtechnique allows the user to simultaneously engage in other activities,such as operating a computer, while exercising.

Prior art suggests the value of a “virtual treadmill” in which acomputer user is encouraged to elevate the display and to “march inplace” on the floor while operating the computer. Kehrbaum, in U.S. Pat.No. 6,808,475 entitled “Ergonomic computer workstation and treadmillcombination”, teaches the construction of a bulky piece of furnituresurrounding a traditional treadmill. The configuration of the furnituremakes it incompatible for use in spaces characteristic of offices,cubicles, home, school and fitness center settings.

On the other hand, prior art exercise devices which are integrated withoffice or entertainment features, such as that taught by Kao in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/064466 entitled “Exercising apparatusincluding embedded multimedia computer system” are sub-optimal foremploying NEAT. Such devices are geared toward heavy aerobic exercise,and thus limit non-exercise features to those that can only be utilizedduring heavy exercise.

What is needed, therefore, is a multi-activity device which isparticularly suited for conducting complex office-type work whilesimultaneously exercising at a low exertion level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problem of the prior art by describingan apparatus which enables the user to engage in various types ofhealth-enhancing exercises while simultaneously performing computer andoffice work related tasks. The present apparatus is compact, operatesquietly, and is adaptable for use with various exercise devices. Thus,it is appropriate for work settings where space is limited and in closeproximity to others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the inventive apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the inventive apparatus,which includes a movable seat that can be positioned over the exercisedevice for use when the exercise device is idle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises a multi-function apparatus whichintegrates an exercise device with a computer workstation. The exercisedevice is preferably a treadmill, step machine, or stationary bicycle.The computer workstation is attached to the exercise device, andcomprises adjustable computer monitor, keyboard/mouse and desk surfaces.Shelves and brackets may additionally be mounted to the exercise devicefor storage of computer towers, telephones and other office equipment.The apparatus may be adjustable such that the user can conduct officework without exercising.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Multi-function apparatus 10 comprises exercise device 100, an integratedcomputer workstation 200, and an adjustable desktop working surface 300.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, exercise device 100 is a treadmill for walkingor slow running. Exercise device 100 further comprises user input 122with which the user adjusts the exercise settings, such as speed andincline, for exercise device 100 operations. Display 120 displays statusand function of exercise device 100. Both user input 122 and display 120are disposed on integrated computer workstation 200 framework such thateach is visible and accessible while integrated computer workstation 200and adjustable working surface 300 are in use.

Although exercise device 100 is shown as a treadmill, and will beidentified as such, the invention is not so limited. Exercise device 100alternatively be disposed as a stepper, stationary bicycle, orelliptical trainer. In addition, exercise device 100 may be operatedover a range of exertion levels; from slow continuous walking whileoperating all of the computer functions, to fast walking/aerobicexercise while doing most computer functions, to running while doinglimited computer functions. In one embodiment, all of these activitiesare possible within the same exercise device 100, while in anotherembodiment, the treadmill could be the walking-only style, which wouldbe more compact and appropriate for an office setting.

Treadmill 100 has optional stowing hinge 130, allowing the treadmill 100walking surface to be folded up and forward when not in use. Whentreadmill 100 is in this stowed position, the footprint is reduced forstorage purposes.

Integrated computer workstation 200 comprises computer tower 250, whichmay optionally be a laptop computer. Integrated computer workstation 200also has shelf 260 for stowage of various computer components, includingcomputer tower 250, so that the unit is compact and yet also a completework station. Attachment 270 allows attachment of other work stationdevices to integrated computer workstation 200, such as a telephone, cupholder, or small set of dumbbells.

Integrated computer workstation 200 further comprises workstationdisplay 220, which is adjustable for proper ergonomic viewing angle.Keyboard 230 and mouse 210 comprise user input devices for integratedcomputer workstation 200. Printer 240 is one integrated computerworkstation 200 output device, and may be located on shelf 260.Optionally, exercise device 100 display functions performed by display120 may be integrated into workstation display 220.

Adjustable working surface 300 is disposed on multi-function apparatus10 such that the user can perform office work during exercise. It ispreferably sized large enough to allow the user to work without“shuffling” multiple sheets of paper and other material. Keyboard traytable 310 is disposed adjacent to adjustable working surface 300, andcomprises the location for keyboard 230 and mouse 210. Adjustableworking surface 300 is mounted separately from user input 122 anddisplay 120 such that the user can control/monitor her exercise whilesimultaneously being able to see all of her paperwork.

Keyboard tray table 310 adjusts for height, separately from theworkstation display 220 adjustable height, and can slide forward andbackward to move it closer when the user sits down to work or out of theway when the user desires to exercise with full arm movements. Keyboardtray table 310 also tilts for ergonomic wrist positioning An advantageto keyboard tray table 310 articulating separately from the monitor isthat such articulation allows adjustment of each componentindependently, providing comfortable positioning of each, unlike priorart devices. Optionally, keyboard tray table 310 is disposed to fit alaptop computer for more computing options.

Exercise device 100 and integrated computer workstation 200 each restsolidly on the floor and are attached on one another withshock-absorbing attachment 420. Shock absorbing attachment 420 isolatesthe integrated computer workstation 200 components from the exerciseactivity and protects the electronics from jarring. Shock absorbingattachments 420 are also disposed such that exercise device 100 may bedetached completely from integrated computer workstation 200, and a newor different exercise device 100 reattached to integrated computerworkstation 200 in the same location. Thus, the inventive device isflexible in that the exercise device of choice can be used with thecomputer station.

FIG. 2 shows multi-function apparatus 10 further comprising integratedmovable seat 400. Movable seat 400 has at least two positions. Tooperate the computer while not utilizing the exercise device, thenon-exercise position, the user places movable seat 400 directly infront of integrated computer workstation 200 and over treadmill 100 toallow the user to perform office-type work without exercising. Anexercise position, as shown in FIG. 2, places movable seat 400completely out of the radius of exercise activity, allowing simultaneousexercise and integrated computer workstation 200 operation. Movable seat400 is further adjustable in height for ergonomic seating position whenin use.

Alternatively, optional stowing hinge 130 allows the treadmill 100walking surface to be folded up and forward, allowing for user can sitin a separate chair (not shown) that is placed on the floor in front ofmulti-function apparatus 10. In this embodiment, treadmill 100 is short,such as a standard walking treadmill, such that when in the stowedposition, treadmill 100 does not interfere with the operation ofcomputer workstation 200.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other embodimentsof the afore-described apparatus are within the scope of the claimedinvention. For example, one or more of the components comprisingintegrated computer workstation 200, such as mouse 210, display 220,keyboard 230, computer tower 250, or printer 240 may be standardoff-the-shelf components. This allows computer workstation 200 to beupgraded as computer technology develops. The components couldalternatively be customized and built into the frame of apparatus 10,which reduces clutter and further protects computer workstation 200components.

1. A multi-activity exercise apparatus comprising: a stationary exercisedevice; a display for monitoring the status of said stationary exercisedevice; a computer workstation affixed to said stationary exercisedevice for performing non-exercise (NEAT) and exercise tasks; and anadjustable working surface.
 2. The multi-activity apparatus of claim 1,wherein said stationary exercise device further comprises a treadmill.3. The multi-activity apparatus of claim 2, wherein said treadmill isstowable.
 4. The multi-activity apparatus of claim 3, wherein saidcomputer workstation is adjustable.
 5. The multi-activity apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said stationary exercise device consists of one of astepper, and elliptical trainer, and a stationary bicycle.
 6. Themulti-activity apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a movable seatdisposed on said stationary exercise device, said seat having anon-exercise position and an exercise position.
 7. The multi-activityapparatus of claim 6, wherein said movable seat is rotatably disposed onsaid stationary exercise device.
 8. The multi-activity apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said adjustable working surface comprises a computerworkstation and a desk, wherein each of said computer workstation, saiddesk, and said display are simultaneously operable.
 9. Themulti-activity apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display is integratedinto a computer workstation display.
 10. A workstation for an exerciseapparatus, comprising: a computer with a display and a user inputdisposed on the exercise apparatus; and an adjustable working surfacedisposed on the exercise apparatus.
 11. The workstation of claim 10,wherein said computer is adjustably disposed on the exercise apparatusfor ergonomic benefit.
 12. The workstation of claim 10, furthercomprising a shock absorbing attachment for disposing said computer onthe exercise apparatus.
 13. The workstation of claim 12, wherein saidshock absorbing attachment further comprises means for detaching saidcomputer from the exercise apparatus.
 14. The workstation of claim 10,further comprising a mount for a peripheral computer component.
 15. Amethod for simultaneously exercising and performing computer operations,comprising the steps of: providing a multi-activity apparatus comprisinga stationary exercise device, a display for monitoring the status ofsaid stationary exercise device, and a computer workstation affixed tosaid stationary exercise device for performing non-exercise tasks;exercising with said stationary exercise device; operating said computerworkstation; and monitoring said display simultaneously with saidoperating step.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the stepof adjusting said computer workstation relative to said exercise device.17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of affixing amount for a peripheral office device to said exercise device.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: detaching saidcomputer workstation from said stationary exercise device; and attachingsaid computer workstation to a second stationary exercise device.